Former Rhode Island rabbi faces trial on sex abuse charges

By Jonathan Rubin

PRESCOTT, AZ. — Rabbi David Eliezer Lipman, 55, formerly of Temple B’rith Shalom in Prescott, will be facing trial for 16 counts of sexual abuse and molestation against his two stepdaughters. Lipman, who served as rabbi at Temple Sinai in Cranston three years ago, was accused of fondling and molestation by the two girls, now 14 and 16.

In May, as the sexual abuse investigation deepened and he was dismissed by the congregation, Lipman made national headlines after he was declared missing by his wife. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he surfaced and turned himself in one month later.

A police investigation revealed that Lipman acknowledged “inappropriate touching” of the older girl in Prescott. He was also accused of an eight-year span of alleged abuse to the girls while the family moved between Vermont, New York, Rhode Island and finally Arizona.

Lipman pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $200,000 bond.

In addition to being rabbi, cantor and Hebrew teacher at B’rith Shalom, Lipman was the administrator of the Jewish educational website Gates to Jewish Heritage(www.jewishgates.com).

According to the R.I. Attorney’s General’s office, no charges are believed to have been filed in Rhode Island. A spokesman for Temple Sinai in Cranston said that Lipman’s departure was “a mutual de cision by him and the congregation.”

According to Yavapai County Superior Court, Lipman is being sent to Texas and Maryland for “treatment.” A Feb. 8, 2006 court date has been sent.

Prescott Police Lt. Pete Hodap said he believes the girls are in the custody of their biological parents and are no longer in Arizona.